Blog by Kristina Kasparian Veni Etiam Photography

New Collection: Italy in February

28/4/2023

In my books, Italy is always a good idea!

Those who know me a little know that Italy is my second home. It is the country I know in all seasons and all lights. I especially love it in low season, when there is more time for sauntering, for conversations with locals, for unrushed meals and, of course, for pictures!

This February, I was privileged to be able to fly back to my happy place. I visited the Lake Como region for the first time and was charmed by the villages of Varenna, Bellagio and Como itself. I also went back to Florence, where I used to spend my summers as a teen, for the first time in nearly 18 years!

It felt so rejuvenating to fill my lens and my heart with these old and new places. Since you loved my Italy in November collection, I thought I would present my new inspirations to you in this post. As usual, it's not only the "big landscapes" but also the tiny details that tugged on my sleeve.

I hope these scenes inspire you to (re)visit your happy places...and to add to your home decor this spring. The bilingual caption beneath each photo accompanies the print!

Fiorenzia

Forever in awe of your magnificent beauty and secret treasures (Firenze, Italy)
En éternelle admiration devant ta magnifique beauté et tes trésors secrets (Florence, Italie)

Innamorati

Love is finding joy in any season and any weather (Varenna, Lago di Como, Italy)
L'amour c'est trouver la joie en toute saison et en tous les vents (Varenna, Lac de Côme, Italie

Fierce Dreamer

Dare to chase the dreams you have, and all the dreams you’ll have tomorrow (Firenze, Italy)
Ose poursuivre tous les rêves que tu as, et tous ceux que tu auras (Florence, Italie)

Golden Hour

Breathe in and let your heart fly (Florence, Italy)
Respire et laisse ton coeur s'alléger (Florence, Italie)

Shrouded with Light

Sometimes, courage comes when you least expect it (Como, Italy)
Parfois, le courage s’éveille quand on s'y attend le moins (Côme, Italie)

This Light I Know

Your afternoons make me feel like I have all the time in the world (Firenze, Italy)
Tes après-midis sont intemporels (Florence, Italie)

Sail Your Way

May the wind always be in your sails (Varenna, Lake Como, Italy)
Que le vent soit toujours dans tes voiles (Varenna, Italie)

Ponte Vecchio

A wondrous sight and its golden light (Firenze, Italy)
Une merveille et sa lumière dorée (Florence, Italie)

Twenty Minutes Alone

Every moment counts (Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy)
Chaque instant compte (Bellagio, Lac de Côme, Italie)

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Architecture with Feeling

16/3/2023

L'architecture vivante

The Italy in November Collection

19/11/2022

I am fascinated by low season.

It began when I lived in Europe for two years and got to experience its in-between seasons. Life seemed to begin again when cities and seashores were returned to the locals instead of being under siege by tour groups and cruise ships. Beaches in the fall and winter call to me. They make me breathe deeply, differently. I feel like I can stretch my legs and contemplate without hurry. The waters begin to look more silver than blue, and the light looks a little more ethereal.

I love Italy every single day of the year, but I do love it (especially northern Italy) in the fall and winter. I love wrapping myself in a cozy (Italian) scarf and enjoying damp, foggy mornings in Milan and Venice. I love the crisp fall air heightened by the lingering scent of roasted chestnuts and cozy evenings in front of a plate of fresh seafood or risotto. Mostly, I like having Italy "all to myself" (well, not quite, but more than in July or August).

This collection is an ode to the northern Italian seaside during low season. First, Liguria and its coveted Italian Riviera, a narrow curve of land bordering France sprawled at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea. Then, my precious Lagoon - Venice and its glorious fog season. Coast to coast, in November, when the sea swells and the light envelopes you.

These photographs are also meaningful to me because they represent hard physical work. Chasing the Venetian fog meant leaving my apartment at sunrise day after day, the cumulating fatigue only offset by passion and awe. In Cinque Terre, my body (and my heavy camera) had to climb thousands of steep steps in astonishingly hot weather to capture the villages and the sea from above. When I look at these images, I see so much of my personal history with Italy, but also my history with myself -- a decades-long journey of a flourishing mind and an aging body with one timeless constant: my profound love for Italy.

I hope you enjoy the collection as much as I enjoyed capturing these scenes.

Bassa Stagione

Falling in love with your winter light (Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Piccolo Paese

This vibrant little village holds such a big place in my heart (Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre)

Buongiorno

Wherever you go, fill up on color (Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Manarola

Create your peace and carry it with you (Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Mare

Views like these are always worth the climb (Monterosso, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Serena

Wishing you serenity and ease on your journey (Monterosso, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Monterosso

Our memories remain anchored here as the tides and seasons change (Monterosso, Cinque Terre)

Your Winter Light

Filling my lungs with your gentle air (Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre, Italy)

Aging Together

You'll always have my heart, in light and fog. (Venice, Italy)

Nebbiosa

My lagoon wrapped in fog and magic (Venice, Italy)

Il Gondoliere

Turn the corner, find the light (Venice, Italy)

Slow Morning

Your fog is my clarity (Venice, Italy)

Fly

A bird’s eye view of the impossible city (Venice, Italy)

Wrapped

Sometimes, not seeing ahead erases all the pressure (Venice, Italy)

Muted Rainbow

Burano’s vibrant houses draped in an autumn morning’s fog (Burano, Venice, Italy)

Surrender

Where it ends or where it begins, I trust in the timing (Venice, Italy)

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The Calabria Collection

19/11/2022

On Italy's toe, the rest of the country feels far, far away. Here, the coastline is nicknamed "The Coast of the Gods", and rightfully so. The waters reach blue and turquoise hues that don't even seem possible, every sunset is a symphony, and the old villages seem to be carved out of the very rock they are perched upon. But perhaps what is most dizzying of all is facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and watching the Calabrian coastline taper off in the horizon while Sicily suddenly comes into view. Calabria's Tyrrhenian coastline offers a front-row view of Sicily's three active volcanoes: Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. They make their presence known throughout the day, spewing and smoking like clockwork, reminding us of the fragility of everything.

My stay in Calabria bombarded my senses, including my taste buds. The humble yet fiery cuisine is a grateful tribute to the gifts of the land and the sea. While throngs of youth leave the south every year in pursuit of opportunity in the north or abroad, the future of the region is left in the hands of passionate families who find ways to honor ancient traditions while embracing innovation. In the agricultural heart of the region, the plateau of the Monte Poro, I am in awe of the lush vegetation and abundance of olives, figs, bergamot, liquorice, lemon, almond and figs. And cheese. I should have led with that! The Poro is renowned for its pecorino cheese, a strong (even pungent) variety that, like all ingredients here, doesn't go unnoticed on the palette.

When I think of Calabria, I am instantly pulled back to its colors, flavors and rhythms. The collection is simple, balanced, and dreamy. The photographs are vibrant yet serene. I hope that the pieces in this collection evoke what Calabria stirred in me - a longing to become more mindful and to deeply cherish the resilient yet fragile lands that surround us.

Below are the images from Calabria and Sicily's Aeolian islands that make up the collection.

This Must Be Paradise

My heart expands with awe of this impossible blue (Tropea, Calabria, Italy)
Mon coeur éclate devant ce bleu impossible (Tropée, Calabre, Italie)

Soar

Trust your wings, trust in timing (Tropea, Calabria, Italy)
Fais confiance à tes ailes, fais confiance au destin. (Tropée, Calabre, Italie)

Coast of the Gods

Nothing better to do today but stay (Tropea, Calabria)
Rien de mieux à faire aujourd'hui que de rester (Tropea, Calabre)

Sanctuary

In this place in full bloom, I bloom too (Tropea, Calabria, Italy)
Dans cet endroit en pleine floraison, je fleuris aussi (Tropée, Calabre, Italie)

Miss Your Train

An ode to the places that unexpectedly beg us to stay (Zambrone, Calabria, Italy)
Une ode aux lieux qui nous attardent (Zambrone, Calabre, Italie)

Stomboli

Resilient, fragile and grateful (Stromboli, Sicily)
Résiliente, fragile, reconnaissante (Stromboli, Sicile)

Extraordinary

When daily life is poetry and a sunny afternoon is a song (Pizzo, Calabria, Italy)
Quand le quotidien est poésie et qu'un après-midi ensoleillé est une chanson (Pizzo, Calabre)

Early Riser

A beach at dawn is a secret whispered in your ear (Tropea, Calabria, Italy)
Une plage à l'aube est un secret murmuré à l'oreille (Tropée, Calabre, Italie)

The Day Is Long

The tide doesn’t hurry, why should we? (Tropea, Calabria, Italy)
Savoure la journée à ton rythme, comme le fait la marée (Tropée, Calabre, Italie)

You, Me and the Sea

That may be all I need in life (Lipari, Sicily, Italy)
C'est peut-être tout ce dont j'ai besoin dans la vie (Lipari, Sicile, Italie)

Lipari

It is a gift to lose track of time for one afternoon (Lipari, Sicily)
C'est un cadeau de perdre la notion du temps pour un après-midi (Lipari, Sicile)

Your Future Awaits

Breathe and believe. Good things lie on the other side (Stromboli, Sicily, Italy)
Respire et sois-en assurée : de nouvelles portes promettent le bonheur (Stromboli, Sicile, Italie)

After the Fire, the Blooms

In this volcanic village, lush vegetation has bloomed from ash. Here, resilience and fragility are woven into one. (Stromboli, Sicily)
Dans ce village volcanique, les cendres ont fait place à des fleurs luxuriantes. Ici, résilience et fragilité se côtoient au quotidien. (Stromboli, Sicile)

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Staying in and Around Montreal: My Covid-Collection

21/11/2021

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When the world changed, almost overnight, in 2020, I found myself craving shelter from all the noise and uncertainty. I needed a reprieve from the what ifs and now whats. I needed to come to terms with the fact that I was (among many other things) a travel photographer who couldn't travel. Everyone around me began to experience what had become second nature to me for years, way before the pandemic hit: working from home, balancing work and mental health, carving out screen-free self-care time, setting boundaries, and finding simple daily joys to ward off anxiety and depression.

But a new shift also took place. Almost imperceptibly, I started clinging to nature, more than ever before. Desperately, even. As though fresh air and quietude were the perfect antidote to the storm of contradictory feelings within. I wanted to discover new places, however close they were to home, just to see something, feel something. But I also wanted to be still, to replenish and recenter.

This blog post is an ode to the special (yet so very local) places that my heart and lens have filled up on. I've included the locations in captions, to help you add some refreshing places to your list. You'll also see which photographs have made their way into my art shop...my "Covid Collection", for lack of a better term!

Looking back now, the seasons were good to me. They held me up with their poetry and life lessons, and I somehow never felt alone.

Entrelacs, Lanaudière (Québec, Canada)

Lac Taureau Reservoir, Québec

Flying over Lac Taureau Reservoir with a hydroplane

Pulling over on the side of the road somewhere in St-Joseph Sur Le Lac, Quebec

Picking tulips of every color and style at the Tulipes.ca field in Boucheville, Montérégie

Blueberry picking at La fruiteraie des Gadbois in Rougemont

Apple picking in St-Joseph du Lac

A glorious sunrise in Esterel, Quebec on a foggy lake before breakfast in bed

Blue hour in a sunflower field at La Belle de Coteau-du-Lac

A fall day on Mont-Royal by Beaver Lake in Montreal

Montreal's Botanical Gardens, through the seasons

Coffee tastes better in the mountains with a lake view, I just discovered.

And pizza tastes better on a vineyard, especially at La Bullerie in St-Joseph du Lac

I fell in love with the nature path in Knowlton, Eastern Townships

Winter activities on Lac Brome

In typical Montreal fashion, spring collided with winter's last hurrah.

Biking along the Beauharnois canal

Embracing nature's gifts and magical moments that lengthen time

In awe of the power and beauty of the Lachine rapids in Lasalle's Parc des Rapides

Sunsets that silence your worries in Sainte Marguerite, Québec

Vineyard after vineyard on La Route des Vins near Dunham, Eastern Townships

Holding onto summer before it folds into fall at Oka Beach

A rewarding hike of Mont Sourire in St-Donat

My happy place, which I probably would not have discovered had it not been for the pandemic

The waterfront at Ile-de-la-Visitation, Montreal

Goodbye to the Geese at Candiac sur le Lac

Where the Lachine Canal meets the St Laurence river

Walking path at the Récréoparc in Sainte-Catherine

Pedalos surprised by snow in Sainte Marguerite

Did nature help you recenter during this challenging time? Leave me a comment, I'd love to know.

Credit: Amélie Pedrini, Derrière ta marque

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Below are the photographs available as prints in a variety of sizes.
Click on them to learn more.

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Une escapade cocooning automnale à l'Esterel Resort & Spa

16/9/2020

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English version

En raison de la pandémie, je me suis retrouvée (comme plusieurs d'entre vous) à annuler des voyages, des concerts et des événements qui auraient fait de 2020 une année inspirante et mémorable. Dans la mesure du possible, j'ai reporté plutôt qu'annulé mes plans, sachant que ces destinations et ces entreprises auraient besoin de notre soutien dans les mois à venir.

C'est ainsi que mon séjour d'anniversaire prévu pour le mois d'avril est devenu une escapade automnale à Estérel Resort !

Hôtel et spa de luxe dans les Laurentides au nord de Montréal, l'Estérel offre le cadre idéal pour se détendre, savourer des repas gastronomiques et profiter du soleil alors que l'été se transforme doucement en automne.

J'ai été soulagée de constater, dès mon arrivée, que toutes les directives de santé et de sécurité étaient rigoureusement respectées. La température des visiteurs a été prise à l'entrée. Les membres du personnel étaient professionnels et attentifs, travaillant fort pour s'assurer que le site était impeccablement propre, que les chaises longues, les tables, les gilets de sauvetage et même les stylos étaient régulièrement désinfectés et que la distanciation sociale était respectée dans toutes les piscines et à l'intérieur de l'hôtel ou des restaurants. Lors mon séjour, les couvre-visages étaient obligatoires à l'intérieur.

Bien que les saunas soient temporairement fermés pour éviter les éclosions, les visiteurs peuvent tout de même profiter de plusieurs bain chauds, du bain polaire et de deux piscines extérieures, en plus des trois lacs: le lac Dupuis, le lac Masson et le lac du Nord.

Les piscines et bains à remous sont de températures différentes allant de 90 ° F à 101 ° F, et certains endroits sont des « zones de tranquillité » réservées aux adultes. Chaque piscine a son propre feu au centre, y ajoutant une douce ambiance, de jour comme de nuit.

J'ai bien apprécié le bar et le resto du Lido qui servait de délicieux cocktails, lunchs et soupers légers (jusqu'à 18 h) afin que nous puissions rester dans nos peignoirs et maillots de bain tout en profitant d'un verre et d'un délicieux repas! Une poutine garnie de fleurs dans un bain à remous ? Oui, merci !

Les activités estivales (pédalo, paddleboard, canoë, kayak, vélo ou pontons) sont encore disponibles jusqu'à la mi-octobre et seront ensuite remplacées par des activités hivernales (ski de fond, raquette, patin à glace). Vous pourrez également profiter des sentiers de randonnée du Parc Estérel ou faire du golf.

Estérel Resort propose de nombreux forfaits gourmands ou romantiques à ses clients selon leurs intérêts et selon la saison. J'avais réservé le forfait Emotion Suite "Cocooning" pour mon anniversaire, qui comprenait plusieurs ardoises de dégustation et un petit déjeuner complet livrés directement à ma suite!

Je me sentais comme une princesse (habillée d'un peignoir bien sûr!), assise dans ma suite face à un foyer transparent, les grandes fenêtres donnant sur le spa, le lac et la nature.

L'ardoise comprenait des huîtres, du foie gras au torchon, une sélection de fromages du Québec, une sélection de pâtés, un tartare de bœuf, du poisson blanc fumé, des mini-guédilles de homard, des légumes grillés, du prosciutto et du melon, des noix caramélisées et fruits séchés, le tout servi avec des crostini et des petits pains chauds.

Si vous n'avez pas envie de souper dans votre suite, vous avez le choix entre trois restaurants haut de gamme et d'une cave à vin, chacun d'entre eux proposant des expériences gastronomiques uniques et des menus de dégustation avec des sommeliers sur place pour vous guider dans vos choix.

Je recommande cependant de prendre le petit déjeuner au lit au moins une fois. Tôt le matin, l'environnement devient d'autant plus enchanteur. Je me suis réveillée avec le soleil et ses couleurs de feu, le brouillard sur le lac et la cacophonie des oies, des canards et des corbeaux.

Il faisait frais près du lac à 6h du matin ! J'étais contente de pouvoir retourner dans ma suite devant le foyer et profiter du copieux petit-déjeuner offert avec mon fortfait. Quelqu'un avait dit que les gaufres sont meilleur au lit, non ? Je vais le dire alors, parce que c'est vrai !

Et je commence à penser que le café a meilleur goût à la campagne qu'en ville !

Le lido thermal est ouvert jusqu'à 23 h tous les soirs, vous pouvez donc vous réveiller avec le soleil et vous endormir devant la télé après une soirée à vous détendre dans un bain chaud sous les étoiles. (Le foyer dans la suite fonctionne par minuterie, donc vous n'avez même pas besoin de vous lever pour l'éteindre !)

C'était un week-end parfait.

Si vous avez envie de vous rendre à la campagne pour vous émerveiller devant nos couleurs d'automne et vous détendre, je vous conseille fortement Estérel Resort & Spa.

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An Autumn Cocooning Getaway at Esterel Resort & Spa

16/9/2020

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Version française

When the pandemic hit, I found myself, like many of you, cancelling trips, concerts and events that were sure to make 2020 a memorable year. Whenever possible, I postponed rather than cancelled, knowing that these destinations and businesses would need our support in the months to come.

That's how my April birthday retreat became an autumn getaway at Estérel Resort.

A luxury hotel and spa in the Laurentian mountains just north of Montreal, Estérel offered the perfect setting to relax, unwind, enjoy gourmet meals and bask in the sun as summer gently turns into fall.

I was happy to notice, immediately upon arrival, that all the guidelines for health and safety were being closely followed. Visitors' temperature was taken at the entrance. Staff members were professional and attentive, working extra hard to ensure that the site was immaculately clean, that lawn chairs, tables, life-vests and even pens were routinely disinfected, and that social distancing was being respected in all the pools and indoors. At the time of my stay, masks were mandatory indoors.

Although the three saunas are temporarily closed to prevent outbreaks, visitors can still enjoy several hot tubs, the polar bath and two outdoor pools, in addition to the three lakes: Lac Dupuis, Lac Masson and Lac du Nord.

Each of the pools and tubs is set at a different temperature ranging from 90°F to 101°F, and some of the pools are "tranquility zones" for adults only. Each pool has its own fire pit in the center, adding extra ambiance, day and night. There are also separate fire pits on the resort grounds where you can stay warm and toasty after your swim.

A highlight was the spa bar and restaurant, serving delicious cocktails, lunches and suppers (until 6 pm) so you can stay in your cozy robe or your swimsuit but still enjoy a drink and delicious meal! I mean, a poutine topped with flowers while in a hot tub? Yes, please!

The summer water activities (pedalo, paddleboard, canoe, kayak, bike or motor boat) are available until mid-October, until they get replaced by winter activities (skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating). If you're in the mood to leave the grounds, you can enjoy the nearby Parc Estérel hiking trails or go golfing.

Estérel Resort offers many wonderful packages to its guests, depending on their interests and mood. I had booked the Emotion Suite "Cocooning" Package for my birthday, which included several tasting platters and full breakfast delivered straight to my suite!

I really did feel a bit like royalty, sitting in my suite facing a see-through fireplace, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the spa, the lake and the surrounding countryside.

The gourmet platter was quite a treat, with oysters, foie gras, a selection of local cheeses, a selection of local pâtés, beef tartare, smoked white fish, lobster rolls, grilled vegetables, prosciutto and melon, caramelized nuts and dried fruit, all served with toasted crostini and warm bread rolls.

If you don't feel like dining in your room, the resort has three high-end restaurants and a wine cellar to choose from, each of them offering special gastronomic experiences and tasting menus with wine pairings tailored for you by on-site sommeliers.

I do recommend having breakfast in bed at least once, though. Early in the morning, the setting becomes all the more enchanting. I woke up with the sunrise and my senses were overwhelmed by the fiery colors, the mystical fog on the lake and the cacophony of geese, ducks and crows.

After getting a little chill by the lake after sunrise, I was happy to crawl back into bed with the fireplace lit to enjoy the abundant breakfast that was served at my suite. Didn't someone once say that waffles taste better in bed? No? I'll say it, then, because it's true.

And I'm beginning to think that coffee tastes better in the countryside.

The thermal spa is open until 11 pm every night, so you can wake up with the sun and fall asleep to your TV after a toasty warm night soak under the stars. (The fireplace in the room is on a timer, so you don't even need to get up to turn it off!)

It was a perfect weekend getaway. If you're itching to get into the countryside to see our spectacular autumn colors and feel like pampering yourself a little, I recommend Estérel Resort & Spa. You can do (and eat!) as much or as little as you want, while taking some time to relax your mind and body.

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The Italy Collection: Prints and Wall Art of La Bella Italia

16/6/2020

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I have been inexplicably pulled to Italy since my childhood; I’d lose myself in reverie imagining the small Italian village where Pinocchio lived, its red rooftops, wooden shutters and narrow lanes. When I visited Italy on a school trip at the age of 13, something just clicked. I knew with deep conviction that Italy had to be part of my life from that point on. And it was. I traveled to Italy every year and lived there for long periods of time whenever I could think up any excuse to do so.

It's no surprise that Italy has such a strong presence in my international collection.

In this post, you'll find the images available as prints and wall decor (on canvas, acrylic, metal or wood) from Italy. The captions that accompany each print let you know exactly where they are from. If you click on each photo, you'll be taken to their listing where you can learn more about them.

Alberobello

A landscape of Trulli rooftops in Puglia, Italy

Canarégio

In the heart of the oldest sestiere of Venice

Li Prisuddi

A path to perfect calm on the Ionian coast of Italy's stiletto

Dopo La Pioggia

A quiet Venice awakens after a gentle morning rain

Milano Mio

This glass dome has witnessed some of my happiest days and my biggest wishes (Milan, Italy)

Riomaggiore

A haven carved into cliffs between sea and sky (Cinque Terre, Italy)

Burano Bliss + My Color Palette

A splash of color, a dash of life
(Burano, Venice, Italy)

San Marco

The winged lion and the winged pigeon both rule over St Mark’s square
(Venice, Italy)

Porto di Monopoli

The bright afternoon colors of the port in Monopoli, Italy

Trani

The peace of an afternoon pause in the port town of Trani (Puglia, Italy)

Belonging

Sometimes, I like to imagine that Venice belongs not to people,
but to the elements, to its creatures, statues and relics.

Winged Lion

Guarding the square, the lagoon, its wishes and secrets
(Venice, Italy)

There Is Beauty in Simplicity

Sometimes the simplest sights are worth pausing to record
(Polignano a Mare, Italy)

La Barca Blu

The timelessness of tradition in a fishing village of southern Italy
(Gallipoli, Italy)

You & Me

As long as we are side by side and anchored to the same port,
we can weather any storm (Bari, Italy)

Bicicletta

Parked for lunch in Riva del Garda, Italy

Laundry Day + Sunday in Burano

Local life in a quiet 'Campiello' in Burano, Venice

Pretty Thoughts

A Sunday stroll through Burano’s streets,
without worry of rain (Venice, Italy)

Trulli Lovely

Love among the old stone huts of Alberobello, Italy

Malinconia

The melancholic mood of a maritime scene in Trani, Italy

Campiello dei Trevisani

A morning in the neighorhood of Cannaregio, Venice

Golden Afternoons

My favorite time of the day, in my favorite place in the world (Venice, Italy)

Tra Gli Ulivi di Ostuni

A perfect afternoon on a masseria in Italy's southern countryside

Amore

Love locks on the cliffs of the romantic "Via dell'amore" (Lovers' lane) in Cinque Terre

Mirror Waters of Levico

The unrivaled serenity of Alpine air and a still lake (Levico Terme, Italy)

Primavera

The vibrant colors of a promising spring (Rovereto, Italy)

Barcarolle

The lone boat that rocked patiently, dreaming to set out and finally fulfill its purpose.
(Bari, Italy)

Palazzo Ducale

The Gothic palace where East meets West, where Land meets Lagoon and open Sea (Venice, Italy)

Light on the Lake

A perfect light filtered through the Italian Alps on a glorious spring day
in Riva del Garda, Italy

In Galleria

Under my Milano sky

Il Frantoio

Majestic witnesses of endless time
(Ostuni, Italy)

Afternoon Solace in Monopoli

The scorching summer sun chases residents into their homes for a few quiet hours (Monopoli, Italy)

Bari Bliss

A late afternoon walk in Bari’s old town
(Puglia, Italy)

Among the Rooftops

I dream of calling one of these rooftops my own (Venice, Italy)

Burano Colors

For a lover of colors, there is no more perfect place (Burano, Venice)

Il Moro

Traces of the Republic's mercantile past (Venice, Italy)

Egidio

Burano’s deeply rich colors and one happy little bird (Venice, Italy)

Fede (Faith)

Have faith: She is watching over you
(Rovereto, Italy)

Wherever You Go, Look Up

Wonderful gems await you when you look up
(Martina Franca, Italy)

Soaring Heart

My freest days and happiest days but also my most melancholy days.
This city liberates emotions (Venice, Italy)

Painted Blue

The idyllic pastel palette of Burano, Venice

La Porta del Cielo

The simplicity of blue & white in Monopoli, Italy

Riflessioni

Her colors always seem more vibrant after the rain (Venice, Italy)

Rio della Misericordia

On the atmospheric fringes of the Cannaregio quarter in Venice, Italy

La Fondamenta dei Mendicanti

You walk and walk, until you reach the edge of the Lagoon (Venice, Italy)

Summer Skies

An idyllic summer day in Polignano a Mare, Italy

Ponte Zaguri + Cupole

The breathtaking view of the Lagoon and the five domes of San Marco (Venice, Italy)

Adriatica

A deep love of all things maritime, in San Vito, Italy

Eerie Lagoon

The unique beauty of the city that emerges from the sea, outlasting time and high tides

In My Italian Kitchen

The simple beauty of everyday scenes

Return Again

My favorite view of Venice, different upon each return

Pescatore

An old fishing boat in Bari, Italy

Watching You Find Your Way

"There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk." (Venice, Italy)

Burano Boot

Sometimes, it's the simplest and most unexpected sights that capture your attention (Venice, Italy)

Soul City

You are more than a place, and I can never have enough, from any angle
(Venice, Italy)

Gli olivi di Armando

An afternoon I’ll never forget, in the silver shade of ancient olive trees (Ostuni, Italy)

Never Tire of You

My lens (and my heart) will never tire of you (Venice, Italy)

Piazza Duomo

Waiting for you by the fountain in the shadow of the moutains
(Trento, Italy)

From my heart to yours!
Kristina

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The Laundry Collection: Colors and (extra)ordinary details

3/5/2020

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There's a poetry in hanging laundry.

The colors and movement draw the eye while the mind wonders how the laundry reflects the lifestyle of a place and its people.

I've been drawn to clothes lines and fresh linen for as long as I've been exploring cities with my lens in hand. It was so natural to me to observe and record these mundane details, that I didn't realize I had ended up with quite a collection until a gallery contacted me recently to create a themed exhibition!

Below are the prints in the Laundry Collection, full of color and details.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

Colores Cubanos

Havana is a color-lover’s dream
La Havane est un rêve pour les amoureux des couleurs

Sunday in Burano

Local life in a quiet 'Campiello'
La vie locale dans un quartier charmant

There is Beauty in Simplicity

Sometimes the simplest sights are worth pausing to record
Ce sont parfois les scènes les plus simples qui méritent d’être photographiées

La Cubana

The raw beauty of local life in Old Havana
La beauté de la vie locale dans la Vieille Havane

A Colorful Life

Uplifting colors in Habana Vieja
Couleurs inspirantes à Habana Vieja

Summer Skies

An idyllic summer day in Polignano al Mare, Italy
Un jour d'été idyllique à Polignano al Mare, Italie

Aging Gracefully

Gorgeous palaces aged by time and sun
Des palais magnifiques vieillis par le temps et le soleil

Wherever You Go, Look Up

Wonderful gems await you when you look up
Lève toujours les yeux pour dénicher despetits trésors inattendus

Which Would You Choose

I’d love to live in a turquoise palace
J'aimerais vivre dans un palais turquoise

Fresh Morning

There is magic in the stillness and light
of a fresh new day in Nice, France
Il y a de la magie dans le silence et la lumière
d'une toute nouvelle journée à Nice, France

Burano Bliss

A splash of color, a dash of life
Une touche de couleur, une dose d’énergie

Fresh Linen

An afternoon scene in sunny Corfu Town, Greece
Une scène de l'après-midi sous le soleil dans la ville de Corfou, Grèce

Mindful Meandering

An opus of everyday beauty
Un opus de la beauté quotidienne

Laundry Day

Picturesque everyday scenes of Burano
Les scènes quotidiennes pittoresques à Burano

Lavado de Ropa

Laundry hanging to dry in the stifling Cuban heat
La lessive suspendue dans l'étouffante chaleur cubaine

Rio della Misericordia

On the atmospheric fringes of the Cannaregio quarter in Venice, Italy
La périphérie atmosphérique du quartier de Cannaregio à Venise, Italie

Tell me: Does hanging laundry inspire you too?

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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The Venezia Collection: A timeless balance between decay and wonder

28/4/2020

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It's no secret to those who know me well, not even to those who know me a little:
Venice is my soul city.

A place that pulls on my heartstrings and just doesn't let go. A place where I prefer to roam alone, so I can focus on Her. A place that feeds me with melancholy and quietude in equal parts.

It's no secret that Venice is my deepest inspiration; even my shop's name is partly dedicated to Her.

And so are several (many) photographs in the collection.

Below are the prints in the Venezia Collection, full of nostalgia and wonder.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

Eerie Lagoon

The unique beauty of the city that emerges from the sea, outlasting time and high tides
La beauté unique de la ville qui émerge de la mer, qui survit le temps et les marées

The Winged Lion

Guarding the square, the lagoon, its wishes and secrets
Gardien dela place, le lagon, ses souhaits et ses secrets

Dopo la pioggia

A quiet Venice awakens after a gentle morning rain
Une Venise tranquille se réveilleaprès la douce pluie du matin

Campiello dei Trevisani

A morning in the neighborhood of Cannaregio, Venice
Un beau matin dans le quartier de Cannaregio, Venise

Belonging

Sometimes, I like to imagine that Venice belongs not to people,
but to the elements, to its creatures, statues and relics.
Parfois, j'aime imaginer que Venise n'appartient pas aux gens,
mais aux éléments, à ses créatures, statues et reliques.

Canarégio

In the heart of the oldest sestiere of Venice
Au coeur du plus ancien "sestiere" de Venise

Sunday in Burano

Local life in a quiet 'Campiello'
La vie locale dans un quartier charmant

My Color Palette

Colors that make your heart sing
Des couleurs qui font chanter le coeur

San Marco

The winged lion and the winged pigeon – both rule over St Mark’s square
Le lion et le pigeon -les deux règnentsur la place Saint-Marc

Rio della Misericordia

On the atmospheric fringes of the
Cannaregio quarter in Venice, Italy
La périphérie atmosphérique du quartier
de Cannaregio à Venise, Italie

Soaring Heart

My freest days and happiest days but also my most melancholy days.
This city liberates emotions
Mes jours les plus libres et heureux mais aussi les plus mélancoliques.
Cette ville libère des émotions

Never Tire of You

My lens (and my heart) will never tire of you
Mon objectif (et mon coeur) ne se lassera jamais de toi

Soul City

You are more than a place, and I can never have enough, from any angle
Tu est plus qu'une ville et je n'en ai jamais assez, de n'importe quel angle

Burano Bliss

A splash of color, a dash of life
Une touche de couleur, une dose d’énergie

Painted Blue

The idyllic pastel palette of Burano, Venice
La palette idyllique de couleurs pastel à Burano, Venise

Fondamenta dei Mendicanti

You walk and walk, until you reach the edge of the Lagoon
Marcher sans cesse, jusqu’à ce qu’on atteignele bord de la Lagune

La Bella Rustica

To be alone with you
Pour être seule avec toi

Golden Afternoons

My favorite time of the day, in my favorite place in the world
Mon moment préféré de la journée, à mon endroit préféré au monde

Watching You Find Your Way

"There are no wrong turnings. Only paths we had not known we were meant to walk."
Il n'y a pas de mauvais tournants, seuls des chemins que nous étions destinés à marcher."

Cupole

The breathtaking view of the Lagoon and the five domes of San Marco
Une vue imprenable sur la lagune et les cinq dômes de San Marco

Laguna Mia

A moody reflection of gondolas under a bridge
Reflet mélancolique de gondoles sous un pont

Palazzo Ducale

The Gothic palace where East meets West, where Land meets Lagoon and open Sea
Le palais gothique où l'Est rencontre l'Ouest, où la Terre rencontre la Lagune et la Mer

Il Moro

Traces of the Republic's mercantile past
Traces du passé mercantile de la République

Riflessioni

Her colors always seem more vibrant after the rain
Ses couleurs semblent toujours plus vives après la pluie

Calle della Chiesa

There is so much beauty in Venice, one must remember to look up and in every direction
Il y a tellement de beauté à Venise, il faut se rappeler de regarder dans toutes les directions

Corte della Comare

A blissful afternoon in colorful Burano, Italy
Un après-midi merveilleux dans la ville colorée de Burano, Italie

Clearing Skies

The beauty in the simple sight of a clearing sky reflected in rain puddles
La simple beauté d’un ciel dégagé, reflété dans les flaques de pluie

Burano Boot

Sometimes, it's the simplest and most unexpected sights that capture your attention
Parfois, ce sont les choses les plus simples et les plus inattendues qui attirent votre attention

Egidio

Burano’s deeply rich colors and one happy little bird
Les couleurs riches de Burano et unpetit oiseau heureux

Verso la Fondamenta

Ochre yellow and deep lilac
Ocre et lilas profond

Burano Colors

For a lover of colors, there is no more perfect place
Pour un amateur de couleurs, il n'y a aucun meilleur endroit

Laundry Day

Picturesque everyday scenes of Burano
Les scènes quotidiennes pittoresques à Burano

Pretty Thoughts

A Sunday stroll through Burano’s streets, without worry of rain
Notre promenade du dimanche dans les rues de Burano, sans souci de pluie

Return Again

My favorite view of Venice, different upon each return
Ma vue préférée de Venise, différente à chaque retour

So there you have it, Venice through my lens.
Got a favorite? Let me know in a comment!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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The Greece Collection: Mediterranean home decor

28/4/2020

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Ever felt so inspired and peaceful on a trip that you just wanted to bring that beautiful feeling home with you?

That's what the Greece Collection represents for me (and, based on your feedback, for many of YOU!)

Staring at images of blue seas, whitewashed architecture and flowers in effortless bloom has the power to transport us.

Below are the prints in the dreamy Greece Collection, ready to warm up your walls and to make your home office a happier place.

Each print has its own unique title and caption (in English and French) and is available in the size and finish of your choice.

All My Wishes

After a steep climb to the monastery, I cast all my wishes into the deep eternal sea
Après une montée raide vers le monastère, je lance mes souhaits dans la mer profonde et éternelle

Agios Stefanos

A taste of heaven on the northwestern edge of Corfu
Un air de paradis sur le côte nord-ouest de Corfou

Cape Drastis

The dramatic cape, inaccessible and undisturbed
Le cap spectaculaire, inaccessible et tranquille

Afionas

A colorful village on the clifftops of Corfu
Un village coloré sur les falaises de Corfou

Beauty on the Horizon

It is a blessing when there is so much beauty to appreciate
before the distant, serene horizon
Quelle bénédiction de pouvoir apprécier tant de beauté
devant un horizon paisible

No One Knows

What lies beyond? No one knows
Qu'est-ce qui se trouve de l’autre côté? Personne ne le sait

Morning Air

All was quiet as the old town slept
Tout était calme pendant que la vieille ville dormait

Blue and White

The traditional Greek colors and its stunning sea
Les couleurs traditionnelles grecques et sa mer magnifique

Understated Beauty

The luring charm of old palaces
Le charme attirant de vieux palais

The Perfect Sea

The sea, the sea, the perfect sea!
La mer, la mer, la mer parfaite!

Seafront

Faded from sunshine and salty air
Délavée par le soleil et l’air salé

Garden Village on the Clifftops

Idyllic Afionas perched above the sea
Joli Afionas perché au-dessus de la mer

Kerkyra

Old Corfu Town, with all its rustic charm
La vielle ville de Corfou, avec tout son charme rustique

Palazzina

Could I buy a summer house here and watch the sunset over the sea?
Puis-je passer mes étés ici à regarder le coucher du soleil sur la mer?

So there you have it. On grey days, we can all daydream of breathtaking Greek landscapes!

Got a favorite in the Greece Collection? Leave a comment and let me know!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Terronia: Discovering the wines of Italy's lesser-known regions

26/4/2020

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What if I told you that the Italian wines you know and love barely even scratch the surface of Italian wine culture?

For nearly 20 years, Silvestro Silvestori has been teaching international visitors about food and wine at his culinary school in Puglia, a fascinating region on Italy's heel.

Silvestro has welcomed students from 59 countries to The Awaiting Table, and I was one of them. What makes his approach unique, both from an international and local perspective, is Silvestro's passionate commitment to inspiring a different kind of tourism.

Silvestro offers a new way of thinking about Italian food and wine, connecting schools of thought that are often disconnected.

"I love teaching the relationships between disciplines, because in wine you can understand everything here in southern Europe." Silvestro explains how wine allows us to understand history, geography, cuisine, cultural identity, even economics. "I wish someone would have taught like this when I was growing up."

Silvestro's different classes immerse visitors into authentic experiences, such as shopping for fresh ingredients and local wine at small grocers, making regional dishes from scratch, picking olives and learning about olive oil, making and bottling homemade tomato sauce. But underlying each of these experiences is Silvestro's main goal: to highlight what makes lesser-known places in southern Italy special, while reinforcing tourism in an authentic way that allows regional industries to thrive long-term.

Silvestro never stops learning and researching. In his downtime every year, he spends two months travelling the south by bicycle to research southern Italian wine and to learn directly from local producers. It was on those bicycle trips that Silvestro realized that so much of what he wants to teach cannot possibly be summarized on a chalkboard in a class. Instead, he felt inspired to create a television series to bring the intricacies of southern Italy to us, straight into our homes.

Silvestro's passion for video is not a secret. For years, I've been a fan of his short educational films on different facets of the region. Through Silvestro's creativity and compelling storytelling, I've learned about topics like rosè, baroque architecture, wine tasting, how to read an Italian wine label, how to choose a knife, how to make orecchiette, and how geology influences wine.

I can't wait to see where his Terronia episodes will take us, how they will enchant us and make us yearn to discover these unique regions in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Silvestro has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund part of his ambitious project. I invite you to watch his trailer and read all about his project on his campaign page. If you're passionate about authentic travel and Italian culture, you can back his project and select a "perk" based on the grape that inspires you!

I have no doubt that Silvestro's creativity and multidisciplinary teaching style will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches his Terronia series.
Silvestro: I wish you the best in this passionate endeavor!

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Ecofriendly prints, sustainable packaging and a recycling program

24/4/2020

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Having a wall art shop where printing, packaging and shipping internationally is part of my everyday routine, it is important to me to reduce my impact on the environment and limit waste.

In this post, I share some of the ways in which my shop strives to be eco-friendly.

1. Paper

Choosing my paper thoughtfully ensures that my photographs are high-quality products with crisp details, accurate colors and fade-resistant inks. But I am also proud to offer you paper prints that are officially identified as adhering to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. When paper is FSC-certified, it has its roots in responsibly-managed forests.

I offer two kinds of paper prints in my shop, and both options are made with FSC-certified, acid-free, eco-friendly paper and non-toxic inks: a fine-art textured paper (308 gsm giclee print) and a smooth satin paper (250 gsm giclee print).

2. Sustainable packaging

When packaging and shipping your orders, I strive to find a balance between making you happy (like you're opening a gift) and making the Earth happy.

Recently, I designed and ordered eco-friendly packaging so that I don't have to hurt the environment while sharing my shop's personality with you. The issue paper is FSC-certified, recycled and recyclable. The stickers are also FSC-certified and compostable.

Even better, the company that printed my tissue and stickers plants a tree in an endangered forest for every order they receive!

I use bubble wrap only when necessary (when shipping fragile glass frames or delicate wall art that can scratch or shatter).

3. Reusing and recycling everything

Since the beginning of my shop in 2015, I have recycled and reused every kind of packaging (tubes, mailers, cardboard, cellophane, foam, frame corners and bubble) to minimize waste and to reduce my impact on the environment.

I have a recycling program where clients can return clean and undamaged cardboard, bags, bubble wrapping, boxes, mailers and tubes (by appointment or at a show). After 6 returns of any kind of reusable material, they get a free 8x8 print of their choice!

My shop will continue to evolve towards more eco-responsible practices as new options become available in the coming months and years. I am excited to be able to share my passion with you and help you create an inspiring sanctuary, all the while protecting our environment as best as I can.

Tell me: How much do you consider how ecofriendly a shop or product is? Leave me a comment - I would love to know.

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

See you on Instagram!

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Alone with the seagulls: A lonely stroll in Old Montreal

13/4/2020

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It always astonishes me how much good a short stroll does.

This spring is by far the strangest spring we've ever experienced - living in confinement until the threat of this virus subsides, we have no choice but to adapt to a new reality and cherish the simple joys hidden in each day.

To stretch my legs and clear my mind, I took a short stroll in Old Montreal. It was a little surreal - the streets and squares that are usually packed with locals and tourists, no matter the season, were like movie sets eerily devoid of their players.

My lens kept me company as I alternated between feeling inspired and feeling lonely. Luckily, there were seagulls to break the silence that hung from the clouds.

And although I had had a string of days where optimism floundered, I could not help but find a bit of peace and hope in the clearing skies and budding trees, no matter how anxious Time (and the loss of it) always makes me feel.

I hope that you're able to go for a short stroll to fill your lungs with air (and seagulls), and that you're able to hold onto the glimmer of hope and optimism hidden in each day.

From my heart to yours,
Kristina

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Des messages d'espoir cachés dans mes photos

10/4/2020

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An English version of this post is also available

Quand une scène m'inspire et que je la prends en photo, j'espère toujours que cette observation ou cette émotion vous inspirera aussi. Parfois, je glisse des messages dans les titres ou les descriptions de mes photographies (que j'inclus sur une fiche personnalisée avec chaque affiche que vous commandez en petits et moyens formats). Ces descriptions me rappellent ce que je pensais au moment où j'ai pris la photo, mais, souvent, j'aime les créer pour vous inspirer.

Lors d'un de mes marchés l'année passée, un visiteur m'a demandé si ces descriptions sont visibles sur ma boutique en ligne, car elles pourraient influencer les choix de clients qui cherchent des idées cadeau. À l'époque, seuls les titres étaient en ligne, mais je suis heureuse d'annoncer que j'ai travaillé fort pour ajouter chacune des descriptions uniques à mes fiches produits!

Pendant cette période de confinement et d'émotions fluctuantes, au seuil de ce printemps étrange et surréaliste, j'aimerais partager des photos qui ont un titre ou une description sentimentale et optimiste.

Certaines d'entre elles datent de 2015, mais elles résonnent avec notre état d'esprit actuel.

Si vous cherchez un cadeau pour un de vos proches ou si vous voulez vous offrir un petit plaisir pour vous évader, j'espère que vous serez inspirés par ces mots et ces images.

Les titres et les descriptions sont tous bilingues (français et anglais). Pour en savoir plus, cliquez simplement sur l'image ou écrivez-moi pour me poser une question.

Bloom Where Unlikely / Fleurir là où c'est improbable

Un rappel qu’une fleur peut s’épanouir facilement,
même dans des circonstances irrégulières
A reminder that it doesn’t take much for a flower to bloom,
even in the roughest circumstances

The Impossible Spring / Le printemps impossible

Un rappel que le temps défavorable finit par changer et que même les printemps les plus lents finissent par arriver
A reminder that unfavorable weather eventually changes, and even the slowest springs eventually come

Trust the Path / Fais confiance au chemin

Chaque pas est nécessaire pour ce qui va suivre, même si cela ne parait pas tout de suite
Every step is a prerequisite for what comes next, even if it doesn’t seem so at the time

Stand Tall / Tiens-toi debout

Tu es une personne spéciale
You're special

What Goes Down Must Go Up Again
Ce qui descend finit toujours par remonter

Ce qui compte, c’est la lumière, pas les ténèbres
What matters is what is light, not what is dark

Chance

Quand une fenêtre se ferme, une autre s’ouvre
When one window closes, another one opens

Patience

Ouvre ton coeur et tes yeux, et les fenêtres s'ouvriront aussi
Open your heart and your eyes, and windows will open too

Strength & Hope / Force & Espoir

Le ciel et la mer dans une conversation fervente
The sky and the waves, in fervent conversation

Dream Big / Rêve grand

Laissez vos rêves prendre leur envol
Let your dreams take flight

Unlocked / Déverrouillée

Une merveilleuse surprise vous attend.
Something truly delightful awaits you.

Incomplete Without You / Incomplète sans toi

Dédié à une âme douce et généreuse sans qui la vie ne serait pas pareille.
An ode to a gentle and selfless soul without whom life just wouldn’t be the same.

Je t'aime

Des pensées de toi qui m’envahissent au coin d’une rue.
When thoughts of you arise at random street corners.

After the Rain / Après la pluie

Parfois la vie devient encore plus belle après avoir connu la pluie
Sometimes life becomes even more beautiful when it has been graced with raindrops

You Have Time / Tu as le temps

Prends ton temps, reste et reviens
Don't rush, stay awhile and be sure to return

Abundance / Abondance

Plus nous nous concentrons sur les richesses de la vie, plus les richesses se multiplient
The more we focus on life’s riches, the more riches arise

The Way / Le chemin

Suivez vos rêves, où qu'ils vous mènent
Follow your dreams, wherever they may lead

Fede (Foi)

Gardez votre foi: Elle veille sur vous
Have faith: She is watching over you

Up!

Ce sera une saison de paix et d’équilibre
It will be a season of peace and balance

Minimaliste / brutaliste / optimiste

Comme une ombre, comme une lumière
Like a shadow, like a light

Navy Blue (Me & You) / Bleu marin (toi & moi)

Chaque pensée de toi commence et se termine avec l'océan
Every thought of you begins and ends with the ocean

Look Up / Lève les yeux

L'optimisme réside dans la surprise d'une seule fenêtre ouverte
Optimism lies in the surprise of a single open window

On Angels' Wings / Sur les ailes d'un ange

Parfois, il faut de la patience et de la foi pour voler
Sometimes, it takes patience and faith to fly

One Step at a Time / Un pas à la fois

Ce n’est pas la vitesse de la montée qui compte. Il faut juste continuer de monter.
It's not about how fast you climb - it's just about climbing.

Simplicity / Simplicité

Quand les moments les plus évocateurs sont les plus simples
When the most evocative moments are the simplest ones

J'espère que cette sélection vous inspire. Les formats livrés à plat dans une enveloppe rigide (8x8, 12x12, 8x10, 8x12 pouces) sont emballés avec une fiche descriptive. Si vous commandez un format plus grand mais que vous souhaitez que la fiche descriptive soit incluse, laissez-moi simplement une note lors de votre transaction. N'oubliez pas que vous avez toujours l'option d'ajouter une note personnalisée si votre commande est un cadeau!

Prenez soin de vous et restez inspiré!

De mon coeur au vôtre,
Kristina

Suivez-moi sur Instagram!

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